Iapplied to go on a Missions trip with Hope Community Church aboutthree weeks ago and found out last Friday that my application wasaccepted! The word “accepted” might sound a little weird beingthat I was asking to help serve, but Hope is a HUGE church and theyare only taking 35 people...so I feel pretty blessed. ;-)
Wehad our first meeting on Sunday, kind of a meet and greet for theteam and an informational meeting. As I was walking into the churchI started to get a little nervous...most people think I'm a coolcucumber, but I'm not! Walking in thoughts were racing through myhead – I don't know ANYONE, what if they don't like me, what if Idon't bond with these people, what if I feel out of place....what amI doing?! Where do I come up with these cooky ideas like “hey, whynot go on a possible life-changing missions trip with a bunch ofstrangers?” So I walked up the stairs found room 2060, grabbed thepaperwork with my name on it and sat down next to someone who Idecided would be my new friend. And it all worked out....so far.
Thefirst thing David, one of our leaders, says he wants us to do isintroduce ourselves, tell everyone what we do for a living, have weever been on a missions trip before and what are fears are for goingon this trip. David thinks this is going to break the ice. WhatDavid doesn't know is my heart is now pounding, thank you David. What IS my name? Just kidding, I've had that part down for awhilenow. It's Maureen. What do I do for a living? I am a store managerfor a retail store called Brookstone, please come visit me at theSouthpoint Mall. Everyone chuckles. Have I been on a missions tripbefore? I was a youth leader last summer with my other church, OurLady of Lourdes, where I am a youth leader for our youth group, andwe went to Lancaster, Pa with Catholic Heart Work Camp. Lancaster....Uganda...not quite the same. Everyone chuckles. Andwhat am I afraid of? What I told them or what am I really afraid of? I told the group that I am afraid that I don't know anyone..not oneof you even looks familiar and I am nervous about traveling for 30hours straight. And I sit down and my new friend starts talking. Ihave no idea what she says because my heart is still pounding. MaybeI'll catch it next time.
Whatam I really afraid of? Not coming up with the $3000 it costs to goin two months. I'm afraid that I am not ready, not preparedspiritually for this trip. I know that going on a missions trip toAfrica is something I have always wanted to do and have felt led todo, but is this my longing or God's call for me? I also think thisis a pretty common fear. But I know there is a reason that I am oneof the 35 and not on a waiting list in case someone else can't makeit. And I know I will raise the money. Because I know, I know I amwhere I am supposed to be.
SoI ask you to prayerfully donate or donate because you like me...I'mOK with that too! And I ask you to come on this journey with me. Iam so amazed that I get to do this and I get to share it with you. Iwill try not to make this blog my personal diary. I said I will try!
Ifyou would like to donate (and I hope you do!) you can go tohttp://www.gethope.net/global-hope/give You will have to walk through the process as if you were givingyour weekly tithe, but I swear it's there. Please make sure you doit in memory/honor of …..ME! You need to write in my name MaureenWight and also what trip it is “Uganda/July trip” Please call meor email me if you have trouble figuring it out. NOTE: The websiteis only able to accept debit cards at this time. You can also donateby writing a check. You can mail it to me and I can bring it in. Please make it out to “Hope Community Church” and put my name andtrip info in the memo. Ex. Maureen Wight, July Uganda trip.
Ithank you from the bottom of my heart for praying for me andfinancially supporting me on this trip.
Iwill keep you all updated on how well I'm coming along financially,emotionally and spiritually! So make sure to check back!
Onelast item to address. My birthday is on Monday, so if you wereplanning on giving me a gift – this would be a great one. And ifyou weren't planning on giving me a birthday gift – this would be agreat year to surprise me!
Maureen,Reenie, Mo, Mo-Mo, Mo-Reenie....whatever name you know me by. Lol
MaureenWight
(919)559-6784
I LOVED your Blog! :) You will continuously be in our prayers. This sounds like an amazing journey. Can't wait for your next update.
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